Protesters have been protesting for more than a month because of the economic crisis and calling for President Rodrigo Paz to resign
On Sunday (June 7, 2026) a law was passed that authorizes the president (Christian Democratic Party, center-right) to use the Armed Forces to unblock roads controlled by protesters who are calling for his resignation.
The text, which had already been published, received approval from the Chamber of Deputies after a 15-hour session. “This law is sanctioned. It is referred to the Executive Branch for constitutional purposes”declared the president of the House, Roberto Castro Salazar.
Paz is considering declaring a state of exception, a measure that would expand the government’s powers to employ the Armed Forces and allow rights such as freedom of mobilization to be restricted.
One of the articles of the law establishes that, during the state of exception, the military will have a “presumption of legality” and that the government will assume responsibility for the use of force in conflict situations.
On Sunday (June 7), Paz published in his blog that he will not allow the “interests of narcoterrorism” to destroy Bolivian democracy. He also thanked the United States for support.
POPULAR DISSATISFACTION
Protests against the Bolivian government began on May 1st in several regions of the country, with more than 80 roadblocks and roadblocks.
Peace was president on October 19, 2025 by defeating (Aliança Livre, right) in the 2nd round.
Protesters say they are protesting because of the economic crisis faced by Bolivia, considered the worst in decades. They claim that the recession was worsened by the austerity measures implemented after the end of 20 years of left-wing governments.
UNDERSTAND THE CRISIS
Paz an economy already fragile with a shortage of dollars and a drop in natural gas exports, and its attempts at financial adjustment generated widespread popular revolt:
- end of subsidies – a The crisis worsened after the end of fuel subsidies, maintained for more than 20 years, which led to an increase in gasoline prices;
- shortages and inflation – the rise in fuel prices resulted in product shortages, long queues and increased prices;
- salary pressure – the population started demanding an immediate salary increase of 20% to compensate for the loss of purchasing power;
- agrarian reform – another motivation for the revolts was the reclassification of small rural properties in the agrarian reform promoted by the government, which mobilized peasant and indigenous communities.
Unions linked to the Bolivian Workers’ Central, as well as miners, teachers and rural producers, decided to block the country’s main highways.
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